under another sun

Fairly leisurely morning. Lorraine played piano, I played my guitar a bit going back to basics with the music app Lorraine has. After lunch, Lorraine drove us off to Brighton, after a detour to a thread shop in Seaford where I was charged with nipping out to buy some DMC thread for Betty. To Brighton, Lorraine dropped me Seven Dials, and I went to Anton's house and Lorraine drove off to Southwick to see Betty. Anton and I mooched down to the pétanque court by the peace statue. A bit crowded with pétanque players, but they were friendly and accommodating and we found a space. Pretty cold and windy, but nevertheless good fun, and we played three sets, and a shock 2-1 victory to me though nobody had to 'Kiss the Fanny' apparently the phrase for being whitewashed. Then off to find a cafe, which we did in Hove on Western Road, where we played a game of bones, and sat there in our matching Guernsey jumpers not looking at all odd. Had to leave half way through a game, which we wil...

Lorraine and I doing a bit of planting in the front garden, two rose bushes, pyrocantha (orange glow) and a chaenomeles aka the Japanese quince. This done, along with a spot of business admin, I kissed Mrs Kenny goodbye and trained off to Brighton to meet Anton, walk over the hill down to the sea at Hove and play boules in the stiff chilly wind, which was great fun. Anton still frenzied at work, and had to break off a couple of times to send emails. We played three games of boules. Anton won the first two easily, but I managed to last to save face.  Then in search of warmth and a pub. Several of them, even on a Friday afternoon, not open till four. We had a bite to eat in The Hampton, and then walked back to Anton's to drop off the boules. Ambled past a few closed pubs, until we popped into the Batty, which was open and very full with dutch people. The Batty was serving Brains SA on tap, a beer from Cardiff that my old mate Simon used to go on about when we were at university. I dr...

No progress on bank matters, but a spot of writing first thing and some nice feedback about my interview with John. Made off at lunchtime, after a quick chat with Sonia to call on Anton, and we went off to play a game of boules by the seaside again. Rather nice it was too. A very enjoyable game. Home via Anton's back garden. Home and I phoned up 123-reg again and thoroughly enraged shared my feelings about how my email still is not working or the mailbox transferred after two weeks. Lorraine finally finished work today for the half term. I was so pleased for her. She managed to get the end of another tricky half term just about in one piece. I nipped around to Red Chillies and picked up some takeaway for us. We were alone tonight as Sam and Jade were in London.  Here is Anton in his back garden (which is looking immaculate) pictured drinking a beer and talking about books.

St Helier harbour blockaded by French fishing boats yesterday. Two royal navy ships dispatched to keep an eye on things. Today the situation was calmer but the underlying problems remain. Another Brexit win.  A busy start, swallowing a few frogs, tidying up before Sonia came,  subscribing to some poetry magazines and, inspired by excellent poets, having a bit of a bash at my own stuff.   Noon, and I walked over to Anton's place and we sauntered down to the seaside at Hove and played some boules. We got there early so we went unjostled by people indulging in bouts of expressive gallic shrugging and saying things like bof etc. We both really enjoyed the games, looking out at the seaside in the bright sun. Blue and cold today. Walked back up to Anton's and sat in the back garden with a couple of cold beers talking about geopolitics, listening to Stiff Little Fingers and XTC, and reminiscing about an exceedingly lively trip we once made to Manchester. Then I walked home acro...

Woke up at five and could not go back to sleep. A few loose ends today, publishing and promoting the last Planet Poetry podcast of the year, billing mes amis in France (God bless them) and of course doing some writing.  Anton calling, wondering if he and I should take up pétanque/boules, as an outdoor sport. I saw no good reason not to. A walk up to the Hollingbury Hillfort while listening to podcasts. A cool haze over Brighton below, and rather beautiful in its own way. Lots of golfers walking about the course like they owned it. And one man with a radio controlled car, zooming on a green that wasn't in use just that minute, which must have been annoying to the 18 holers. I sloped along the prescribed paths, and felt a bit worn out. I am looking forward to Lorraine stopping work at the end of the week, as it will help me feel more relaxed too I think. Lorraine home after penultimate day of school. Feeling really proud of what she has achieved this year.